From the Head of Knox Sports and Aquatic Academy

Mr Martin Haywood

With Term 1 drawing to an end it is a great opportunity to reflect on all that has occurred and touch on all that is ahead in Term 2.

We hit the ground running as our Year 7s started trialling in Week 1 for their chosen summer sport. With Knox offering as many as 27 sports in the summer there are plenty of options to keep our boys strong and healthy and learn the many benefits of participating in a team environment. It was pleasing to have very few requests for exemption from sport which suggests the message regarding the importance and value we place on “Total Fitness” here at Knox is understood.

Due to the severe weather through Term 1, many outdoor sports were interrupted and found the season quite frustrating. For the first time ever at Knox a full round of Saturday fixtures was cancelled due to extreme heat - then of course the rain started and simply has not stopped.

Full seasonal reports will be available in the Grammarian but it has to be said we did enjoy a lot of success. For example, 14 out of 20 of our Tennis teams finished in first place this season is a remarkable achievement.

We then took 1,000 spectators to Homebush in mid-March to cheer on our swimmers and divers. The team was desperate to end the 13 year reign of Trinity Grammar and bring the Thyne Challenge Shield back to Knox. Four hours later, 73 races, 11 CAS records and the Shield was WON by Knox Grammar. A wonderful night and a well deserved result for Knox Grammar.

Last week Knox held the annual House 6 event on Knox 1 and Gillespie Fields. This was a great day well attended by all Senior School students. The students were divided up into their 12 Houses, were well led by their Captains and Housemasters and participated in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, Turbo Javelin, Shot Put. Some boys made a real effort and with some fancy dress, face painting and it was a real fun day of athletics. Yet another quality school event and thanks to Mr David Cobb (Sportsmaster) who ran this event so efficiently. Congratulations to Reid and McKenzie - joint winners of the House Spirit Cup.

What’s ahead?
Over the last few weeks our various Sport Directors have been busy scheduling trials, fixtures and anything possible around more severe weather in an attempt to best select and prepare for the rigors of winter sport through Term 2.

Our rugby community is very excited about the prospect of playing St. Ignatius’, Kings, Scots, Newington and Joeys and will then finish with 5 competition fixtures v CAS schools - Cranbrook, Trinity, St. Aloysius’, Barker and Waverley College.

Our footballers are also preparing for the annual Home and Away CAS competition. Ten tough weeks of solid football where the 1st XI will compete for the Thomas Grimson Cup. A highlight for this team will be the Friday night (28 April) fixture on Knox 1 v Cranbrook under lights. The quality of training seen so far suggests all of our football squads from Year 7 to Opens are in for a terrific season.

Winter tennis is up and running as they look to defend their CAS winter title from 2016 and have been training hard and are ready for all challenges.

The AFL numbers are solid and there is also a sense of excitement with a number of very strong teams ready to participate in the Independent Schools AFL Competition. We have entered a record number of teams in 2017 and all teams are currently being graded. This competition is one of a number of sports where we join up with CAS, GPS and ISA schools and form one competition.

Our cross country team has already began competing and enjoy a run each Saturday morning along with all of the many sports we offer through the winter.

HIGHLIGHTS

Knox Aquatic Centre

The Knox Aquatic Centre will be open throughout the April School Holidays!
Please note, it will be closed over the Easter Long Weekend.

Swimming
All squads will operate on a holiday timetable. Full full details on the Knox Portal.
School swimmers are encouraged to attend fitness sessions from 9-10.15 each weekday morning.

Water Polo Holiday Camp
Free of charge for all current Knox Water Polo players in the Prep and Senior School.
Week 1: Tuesday 11 and Thursday 14 April.
Week 2: Tuesday 18 and Thursday 20 April.

13 and Under: 11am - 12.30pm.
14’s and Over: 12.30pm - 2pm.

This Water Polo Camp is free of charge – simply book in with Mark McNamara

PREP SPORT

IPSHA Cross Country

Mrs Sharon Dewar, K-6 Sport Coordinator

Knox runners perform at IPSHA Cross Country
Last Saturday our Preparatory School Cross Country team of forty one runners headed out to The King's School on take on the grueling 2km and 3km wet and muddy course with the aim of running their best and being selected in the IPSHA team to compete at the CIS Carnival in June. To reach their goal they had to finish in the top 15 places - a tough ask with up to 180 competitors in each race.

Blessed with sunny skies on the day our Knox boys were very competitive, with the majority of the boys finishing in the top half of the field in their respective races.

In the 9 years, Solomon Tan crossed the line in 6th place and Jamison Carre in 11th and in the 10 years Ryan Ford finished 8th. Our 11 years were amazing with six boys finishing in the top 15 places and winning the team event - Sean Williams 2nd, Ben Williams 4th, Charlie Moore 5th, Toby Caspari 7th, James Harden 8th and Marcus Walsh 15th. These nine boys will now represent IPSHA at the NSWCIS Cross Country Championships at Eastern Creek in June.

Congratulations to all Knox Cross Country runners on your outstanding effort, great sportsmanship and team spirit.

SENIOR SCHOOL SPORT

Athletics

Holiday Happenings
The Athletic Development Centre will be open from 8am - 12 noon, Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the holidays, excluding Easter (Friday 14 and Monday 17 April).

Sailing

Mr Nick Warby, Director of Aquatic Sports

NSW Sailing Championships
Good Luck to Toby Wilson, Nathaniel Martin, Will Adams, Alistair Hunter, Tawhid Rahman, Harry Parker & Tom O’Sullivan who will be competing at the NSW School Team Sailing Championships at Rose Bay this coming weekend.

Surf Life Saving

Mr Nick Warby, Director of Aquatic Sports

Australian Surf Life Saving Championships
Congratulations to Tyler Krenkels and Luke Blahuta who represented Manly Lifesaving Club at the recent Australian Surf Life Saving Championships at North Kirra Beach.

Along with three other club mates, Tyler won Bronze in the U14 Surf Swim Teams event, while Luke came 7th in the Beach Relay Grand Final. Well done Tyler and Luke!

This team of boys demonstrated exceptional skills in CPR, First Aid, Rescues, Team Work and communication. They will now go onto Patrol at Whale Beach SLSC.

Swimming

Mr Steve Goodier, Head Coach, Swimming

Australian Swimming Championships
Good luck to the Knox Pymble Swim Team who will be competing at the Australian Age Swimming Championships in Brisbane in the coming school holidays. Approximately 30 Knox students were selected for this team with many considered to be in medal contention.

Knox Uniform Shop

Term 2 requires students to present on the first day of term in the winter uniform. To assist with the purchasing of uniforms, we are open every week day from 12.30pm - 5.30pm until the last day of Term 1. We are also open each Saturday morning from 9am - 12noon. Additional operating hours during the school holidays are below. All items are available to purchase on Flexischools which can be delivered to the Prep School and WPS on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Please note, all blazers that require colour award embroidery must be submitted by 5pm, Monday 11 April. Any blazers received after this time will not be accepted. These will be available for collection from the Uniform Shop from Monday 24 April during opening times and on Wednesday 26 April from 8am.

Uniform

Any student attending any Knox sporting fixture and/or venue must be properly attired in either track suit or school uniform.

No Dogs Allowed Policy

To improve safety of the students and visitors to the school, we have a No Dogs Allowed policy. Dogs are prohibited, leashed or unleashed, on school grounds, unless they are assistance dogs, security patrol dogs or police dogs.

Dogs may not be brought onto any Knox Grammar School property, including the Prep and Senior School campuses and all playing fields, including Curagul and Gillespie Fields.

Signage has been installed and our Security Team has been asked to let parents and carers know that we are a dog-free school. If you bring a dog onto school property, you may be approached by the School's Security Team and asked to leave.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding on this safety initiative.

Parking for Saturday sport at the Senior School

Due to construction of our exciting new Knox Performing Arts Centre/Junior Secondary Academy, we are no longer able to provide parking at Woodville Ave for families attending sports fixtures at the Senior School campus. Parking is available in the Borambil Street underground carpark for weekend sport. Where possible, we encourage boys and parents to use public transport for travel to and from the Senior School campus.